Walmart 2001 Annual Report Download - page 14

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Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is committed
to strengthening and enhancing the
quality of life in the communities
where our Customers and
Associates live and work. In fiscal
2001, over $190 million was raised
and contributed by our Associates
and Customers and given back to
our local communities. This is an
increase of over $32 million, all given
back to those who need it most.
Associates are the lifeblood of
Wal-Mart’s community support.
Associates direct 97 percent of
Wal-Mart’s community involvement
initiatives. “Our Associates know
best what organizations and causes
are the most important in their
communities, so we believe that
they should be the ones who
determine how their Company
supports the organizations who
are making a difference in the lives
of our Associates and Customers,”
Tom Coughlin,
President & CEO,
Wal-Mart Stores
Division, said.
Wal-Mart Associates
are dedicated to
a wide range of
programs. Since
the Foundation’s
inception in 1979,
one of our primary
areas of focus has
been education.
In 2000, our
Associates raised
and contributed
nearly $11 million
for their local schools. In addition,
Wal-Mart awarded scholarships
totaling nearly $12 million to
graduating high school seniors
and other students pursuing
higher education. Our commitment
to education includes the Teacher
of the Year awards, Students in
Free Enterprise, the United
Negro College Fund and the
Hispanic Association of Colleges
and Universities.
The Community Matching Grants
program is one of Wal-Mart’s
largest community initiatives with
over 3,000 locations participating.
Last year, the Company awarded
more than 50,000 grants to local
organizations that held fundraisers
with our Associates.
Throughout the year, Associates
in the United States and Canada
sponsored a variety of fundraising
activities to support children’s
hospitals across North America
through the Children’s Miracle
Network. Our Associates’ hard
work will help over 14 million
children receive the best medical
care possible as well as address
overall health care in our
communities. Last year, our
Associates and Customers raised
and contributed around $31 million
dollars for their children’s hospitals.
One hundred percent of the funds
remain with the children’s hospital
to fund medical research, provide
medical treatment to local children
and supply money for hospitals to
purchase new equipment.
On June 6th, Associates and World
War II veterans presented a gift of
almost $14.8 million to Senator
Bob Dole, Chairman of the National
World War II Memorial Campaign,
during a special ceremony in
Washington, D.C. The donation was
the largest gift given toward the
construction of the memorial. There
are approximately 1,900 World War II
veterans who are Wal-Mart
Associates. The memorial will
honor the 16 million Americans
who served in uniform during the
war, the more than 400,000 who
gave their lives and the millions
who supported the war effort
from home.
One of Wal-Mart’s fastest growing
programs is Volunteerism Always
Pays, or V.A.P. This program
donates funds to local non-profit
organizations where Associates
volunteer at least 15 hours a
quarter. According to Jay Allen,
Vice President of Wal-Mart
Corporate Affairs, Wal-Mart
Associates give back to their
communities 80 work years in
volunteer hours annually. In
addition to the Associates’ valuable
contribution of time, Wal-Mart
donated $1,500,000 to various local
charitable organizations across
the United States in honor of
our Associates.
Wal-Mart’s corporate citizenship
extends well beyond U.S. borders
and into every country in which the
Company operates. For example,
Associates and suppliers in China
donated time and provided financial
assistance last year to senior
Wal-Mart’s Associates Lead by Example
CARING IN ACTION
CARING IN ACTION
Community
Community